Read that Taurus and Charter Arms had discontinued building revolvers chambered in 327. I emailed CA this morning and received confirmation that the chambering has been dropped. Taurus has removed 327 revolvers from their web site. Rumor has it that S&W is halting production. Federal supposedly has dropped the operating pressure of 327 ammunition to 36000 from the original 46000.
Anyone have any info????

I like the cartridge, I cast and hand load it. I like my CA and also like 32-20 so I asked my dealer to order me a USFA convertible in 327/32-20. The lead time is 6 Mo. or so, but now I wonder what is going to happen.
Anyone heard from S&W???

I have a Ruger SP101 in this caliber and I like it. So when Bud's starting listing the Taurus at $280 for blue & $290 in SS, I bought a SS version. They still have them and the Charter Arms at a too high of a price (to me).
I am watching for the S&W non ported with night sights to come up for sale at a reasonable price. So far I have only seen the 632 with a ported barrel available and I don't want that at a premium price.

So much for the cocky new kid on the block. After all the hype, most shooters still want a bigger bullet. I laughed every time I read an article proclaiming the 327 as having "better ballistics than the vaunted 357 Magnum".

Have a Blackhawk 327 . I handload cast 32mag and 32 long. I have a box of 327 115 grainers. i will most likely only use them for hunting/ camping carry gun To me i bought the Blackhawk as a strong 32 mag platform. i can handload the 32mag to almost match the 327 Fed

Well.... people have been predicting the demise of the .41 Magnum for years and years, and it's still with us.

I think there is enough of a niche following for the .327 Federal to survive. One of the problems of it not taking off is the lack of a versatile/practical DA platform (steel K-frame)... and "the great ammo/component shortage of 2009" didn't help matters either.

I hope it survives... it's one helluva round out of a T/C contender custom barrel.

Well.... people have been predicting the demise of the .41 Magnum for years and years, and it's still with us.

I think there is enough of a niche following for the .327 Federal to survive. One of the problems of it not taking off is the lack of a versatile/practical DA platform (steel K-frame)... and "the great ammo/component shortage of 2009" didn't help matters either.

I hope it survives... it's one helluva round out of a T/C contender custom barrel.

I bought six boxes of ammo last week-- .327 and .41 magnums. I like them both, but then I also shoot 16 gauge shotguns.

S&W is supposedly dropping the .357 Sig from the M&P line, most likely due to cost-cutting measures. Since Taurus and Charter aren't the most sought after names in the revolver business, they probably want to concentrate on revolvers chambered in cartridges that will sell as many guns for them as possible. The .327 is too new to have much of a self defense following. I have yet to hear of a story where it was used in a self-defense situation, and I don't plan on holding my breath until I do. Most pistol calibers that you have heard about have a police history of some sort, be it 9mm, .38 Special, .357 Magnum, .357 Sig, .40 S&W, .45 GAP, or .45 ACP. The .327 is probably never going to be used by any police department in the United States.

These are tough times to introduce a new handgun cartridge. It's tough for buyers to spend the money, it's tough for businesses to have a lot of capital tied up in inventory that doesn't move quickly.

One has to look at the spectrum of cartridges available and honestly ask, does a new round fill a real gap among existing rounds, or is it primarily something to generate extra demand?

I hate to see it go, but the market will determine success or failure. Even if there are no new guns made (which I doubt will be the case), the ammunition will be manufactured occasionally for a really long time, it will just be harder to find and more expensive.

Ruger and Federal partnered up on this. Until Ruger and S&W drop it it is still going. If Starline would produce brass it would be great, unfortunately they are pushing to make what they do now, let alone add an extra.

I went shooting at the property of a friend last weekend. I shot both my 327 mag revolvers among other guns.
After shooting 3 cylinders full of 100gr SP Federal through the Taurus, I opened the cylinder and it fell out on the ground. I looked at it and a screw had come out of the side plate.
I called Taurus and they offered to have me ship it to them, but I asked them to just send me a screw and they agreed. They said that if I am unable to fix it that they will still repair it for me. It just needs loctite and a new screw and it will be fine (for a Taurus). Nothing hotter than 85gr low recoil ammo will ever go in that gun again.
The Ruger SP101 operated flawlessly and accurately will various ammo. I had a gunsmith put Wolff springs and polish the trigger and it is much improved from how it was manufactured.
I just found out that Buffalo Bore is making 327 Mag ammo in 100gr HP and 130gr hard cast SWC.
I just ordered 3 boxes of the 130gr. Buffalo Bore says that it will penetrate a bear's skull.
I'm still keeping my eyes open for a Smith without ported barrel at a reasonable price and expect to find one eventually.

I spent $750 on the new 632 Pro, including a set of 60 Pro grips. The HKS 32-J speedloader, leftover from my 4" SP101 in .32 H&RM days - which ended 3.5yr ago, is loaded with 115gr Speer Gold Dot .327 Magnums. They seem to have the most recoil of the trio of them and the 85gr .327 Magnum Federal SP's and Federal HydraShok JHPs. The SP's were in boxes of 50; the HP's in boxes of 20. The ammo was $20-$21/box at a local store. It hits POA at 7-10yd with a combat aim (NS orbs in a line - the front one coaxial to the bullseye.); low with everything else. Like that SP101 I had - only windage adjustable (I should have looked!).

I had ~800 94-96gr LRNFP .32 S&WL leftover from my Ruger .32 H&RM days, when I also had a BHG SSM. They are shown below, along with the Federal .327 Magnum ammo.

Interesting firearm - now, after reading this thread - a bit late - I see it is for a dead round! I wanted one since it's announcement 2/10 - and they finally started shipping 9/11! Note - it has no IL. Maybe it'll be a classic? The wood grips help.

I believe he is correct, AMMO was the problem. When the big dud came into power, everyone started buying up all the ammo off the shelves. The available 32 all went out with the popular stuff in short order. The ammunition makers were trying to keep up with popular stuff like 9mm, 38, 40 and 45. No one was worried about getting any 32 Long, 32 H&R or 327 practice ammo back on the shelves. This resulted in guns in 327 being available with no practice ammo, or components to load any available for a couple years. The $1.00 a shot carry ammo is not real popular to practice with, and it was about all you could find.
They are now dropping the 327 about the time American Eagle 327 ($0.50 a shot), and 32 H&R and 327 Federal brass is starting to become available again.

I am of the opinion Timing hurt the 327 about as much as anything.

Different things hurt different rounds. The 480 Ruger is a good example. I have heard various opinions of what went wrong with sales on the 480. Most skip the obvious. Ammo Cost. We have lots of folks who do not reload. The cheapest ammo you can buy for the 480 Ruger from Midway is Full House Hornady Hunting ammo at $27 a box of 20 plus shipping and tax if you live in Missouri. The next cheapest ammo is Speer at $40 a box of 20. If the 480 had some economy reduced power ammo available at around $30 a box of 50, the 480 would still be in production and doing great.

The firearms industry is an oddity in the realm of manufacturing. Typically, guns are so well made that factory's can't depend on planned obsolecence much. So to increase sales from time to time they dream up new models, finishes, dodads and cartridges to create a demand for a perceived need. Naturally, who don't want a new gun to play with. I as have most here have gone far beyond what we actually need, just because we like 'em. Profits will dictate the success or failure of anything.

It only stands to reason the manufacturers will strike out once in a while.

If I could afford to have Hamilton Bowen build me a "K" frame .327 Fed. Mag. in a 4 and 7 1/2" barrel, I'd be willing to pay up to $2000.00 each to have them "smoothed out" a slick as you please.

Yes sir, the cartridge really isn't a bad one. You can do some serious hunting with 115-120 grain bullets. In the longer barreled specimens, it's a true performer. (Look into BBTI - Ballistics by the Inch :: Home to understand what I mean.)

the old rubric of "Americans want bigger bullets" holds true for a lot of old dinosaurs that seem to have forgotten that the .327 has superseded both the .30 Carbine and the .32-20. The .30 Carbine only works in the single action Ruger and the .32-20 suffers from pressure limitations and short-lived brass when consistently loaded to their pressure limits!

The .327 was the "logical" progression for the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum. If S&W were to make a full-lug 6.5", 7.5" or 8 3/8" barrel, there would be sufficient buyers to keep the run going.

gunfan, you've seen my reports on "Project 616 - the gun S&W should have built but didn't." The brass problem is no more since StarLine made their production run of that very caliber, and of course bullet moulds abound. The only problem with reloading the 327 FM now is the one shared by all other pistols and revolvers, namely finding powder and primers.

To those who speculated on how one could get a mid-sized steel frame double action revolver in this caliber, yes Virginia there is a stainless K-frame! Like Billy Joel sang, "all it takes is looks and a whole lot of money..." Really, my looks aren't that great and it wasn't that expensive. You start with the Model 66 of your choice and buy a 617 cylinder (look for the older, round profile extractor) and the 617 barrel in the length of your choice. Then, the longest portion of the project will be your wait to have the barrel rebored (unless being in WA, gunfan you can get preferential treatment @ Clearwater? ) Once your barrel is back, take the whole package to a very dependable gunsmith with directions as to what you want, then step back and let him work. At the end of it all, you should be a happy camper... I know I certainly am!

Green frog, I have a model 66, plus a 16-4 cylinder assembly, how do I tell if it will work? I realize I need the barrel but two out of three ain't bad! I already converted two of my 4 inch 16-4's to 327 but I want a stainless revolver now. What barrel length did you go with?

I bought the Ruger SP101 in .327 right away. There's nothing wrong with it if you like a blast in the eyes every time you fire. I solved the problem by ordering a reamer from Dave Manson sized to lengthen .32 H&R cylinders to .327 Mag dimensions.

I now have a 6" bbl. S&W Model 16-4 and a 6 1/2" Ruger Blackhawk chambered for .327 Mag. These two revolvers give the cartridge an opportunity to perform. Where there's a will there's a way!

I was just contemplating swapping out the 638 that's on my next to buy list for a 632 with the fluted barrel for use as a primary ccw weapon. Now I hear this. I guess I am way too late to the party.

Then again it seems like the 327mag is not a round that you are going to go and shoot a couple hundred every other week. More like shooting a couple cylinders every month or so to maintain your skills with your carry weapon.

I don't know the ballistics or the performance of the round and how it compares to the 38 special, 9mm or the +P loadings in either, but if it's close then having 6 rounds to 5 is certainly enough of an advantage to keep it as a ccw weapon. Is it not?

I'd still like to have one for my j frame go-anywhere at anytime gun, but I don't think I'd pay $800 for one of the fluted barrel models or the PRO, which is what they go for. That could buy me an M&P revolver or a Scandium 357 which I would carry 38+P in. An 11 ounce revolver with +P ammo trumps a 25 oz, 6 shot revolver chambered in 327 federal magnum. My thinking anyway.

I was just contemplating swapping out the 638 that's on my next to buy list for a 632 with the fluted barrel for use as a primary ccw weapon. Now I hear this. I guess I am way too late to the party.

Then again it seems like the 327mag is not a round that you are going to go and shoot a couple hundred every other week. More like shooting a couple cylinders every month or so to maintain your skills with your carry weapon.

I don't know the ballistics or the performance of the round and how it compares to the 38 special, 9mm or the +P loadings in either, but if it's close then having 6 rounds to 5 is certainly enough of an advantage to keep it as a ccw weapon. Is it not?

I'd still like to have one for my j frame go-anywhere at anytime gun, but I don't think I'd pay $800 for one of the fluted barrel models or the PRO, which is what they go for. That could buy me an M&P revolver or a Scandium 357 which I would carry 38+P in. An 11 ounce revolver with +P ammo trumps a 25 oz, 6 shot revolver chambered in 327 federal magnum. My thinking anyway.

Nalajr

Look up Ballistics By the Inch and how well the .327 Federal performs from the shorter barrels. It isn't a .357 Magnum (we already have that.) The .327 ends to be a bit more "blasty" than the 9mm or .38 Special, but it doesn't have the recoil of either. From what I can see in videos and read in personal reviews, is that it 'snappier' than the standard .38 Special/9mm bunch.

From what I understand, I think that you would like it. I, for one, believe that the .327 will penetrate more deeply then the .35 caliber rounds due to sheer velocity and bullet weight. A .312" 100 grain RNFP bullet screaming along at 1515 fps will "keep on truckin'" where the other rounds with greater frontal area tend to shed their velocity. With the smaller bore rounds, penetration is your friend!

I bought my 632 on impulse since a dealer was blowing them out for $480. It has since become my favorite J frame. This is such a versatile chambering I don't believe it will die. I fortunately have no problem finding ammunition for my 632, and just acquired some 75 grn Corbon DPX loads I'm looking forward to trying. For plinking I bought a case of Federal 32 S&W Long wadcutters that are super accurate with no recoil.
Like Stainz I added S&Ws' excellent Model 60 Pre Series grips.

Funny this thread started almost 2 years ago and had our .327 dead and deceased.Here it is 2 years later and not only is the thread still alive the cartridge is as well.

Quote:

Read that Taurus and Charter Arms had discontinued building revolvers chambered in 327. I emailed CA this morning and received confirmation that the chambering has been dropped. Taurus has removed 327 revolvers from their web site. Rumor has it that S&W is halting production. Federal supposedly has dropped the operating pressure of 327 ammunition to 36000 from the original 46000.
Anyone have any info????

Quote:

Its a cool little cartridge.

I've kept thinking I should get one.

Then I look at my .357 mag, and .41 mag Blackhawks, and then at my .32 S&W break-top, and my .32 Long hand-ejector, and my .32-20 hand-ejector, and my .32 H&R Single-Six.

...and I ask myself, do I REALLY want a .327 Federal bad enough?

I'm thinking this one may go the way of the .357 Maximum.

I've never really regretted not getting a .357 Max.
__________________

Froggie and I went to Andy Horvath and had our .32's made. My gun started as a 17-3 and came back as a 32 long with a 5" bbl. It could have easily been chambered in .327 As Froggie's was. I had the extra expense of cutting the bbl and adding a Weigand interchangeable front site base. Added a set of Keith Brown Roper style grips to it to complete the package. Larry

Funny this thread started almost 2 years ago and had our .327 dead and deceased.Here it is 2 years later and not only is the thread still alive the cartridge is as well.

Yeah, I guess this whole 327 Fed Mag thing is dead. I guess we ought to go on and get rid of all that stuff and go back to our 38 Specials and 44 Mags and such, or better yet get a 9 mm plastic gun and be "modern."

NOT!!

The 327 Federal Mag is alive and well and still picking up momentum. In spite of poor timing, corporate miscalculations and missteps and just about everything else that could have been done wrong, it's the "little cartridge that could." Aren't you glad you have one? I know I am!

Read that Taurus and Charter Arms had discontinued building revolvers chambered in 327. I emailed CA this morning and received confirmation that the chambering has been dropped. Taurus has removed 327 revolvers from their web site. Rumor has it that S&W is halting production. Federal supposedly has dropped the operating pressure of 327 ammunition to 36000 from the original 46000.
Anyone have any info????

I cannot see any good use for the 327. It does nothing that cannot be done in a 9mm pistol, which can be made to hold more cartridges in a smaller package.

The .32 S&W Long should be enjoyed in period guns for what it is now: a nostalgic look back into the past and to happier times when criminals had the good sense not to inject Drano into their veins and to give up respectably when confronted. Here's to happier times!

I don't put too much stock in ME figures, they don't translate to much of anything in the real world. Sad fact is they are based on velocity squared times weight. A BB at 4,000 fps may have more "muzzle energy" than a 45/230 at 750 fps, but that doesn't make it a better round unless you're shooting mosquitoes. Enjoy your boullettes........but I'll stick with what works for me.

Let me start by saying the .327 Magnum and the .41 Magnum are both under-appreciated calibres. I wouldn't go as far as saying either one is a popular cartridge. Considering S&W and Ruger both only make one revolver in .327 Magnum is hardly a sign of strong support. Both cartridges aren't dead, but I wouldn't say they're going strong either.

Let me start by saying the .327 Magnum and the .41 Magnum are both under-appreciated calibres. I wouldn't go as far as saying either one is a popular cartridge. Considering S&W and Ruger both only make one revolver in .327 Magnum is hardly a sign of strong support. Both cartridges aren't dead, but I wouldn't say they're going strong either.

S&W no longer makes a 327 Fed. Found this out a week ago when I sent my 632-1 in for warranty.

A rep called me and said they couldn't fix it, and no longer made a gun in the caliber. They let me pick a 640 Pro as replacement.

I don't put too much stock in ME figures, they don't translate to much of anything in the real world. Sad fact is they are based on velocity squared times weight. A BB at 4,000 fps may have more "muzzle energy" than a 45/230 at 750 fps, but that doesn't make it a better round unless you're shooting mosquitoes. Enjoy your boullettes........but I'll stick with what works for me.

Have you ever seen what a small 4,000fps projectile will do???

Mind you, the 4,000fps BB will shed velocity quick, but anything over 3,000fps does horrifying damage to tissue.

Personally, I like the .327 chambering more for it's versatility than it's raw numbers. The .327 is a perfectly adequate defensive round. But , the smaller .32s that can also be utilized make it the complete package. Low recoil small game getter. Cheap to reload target round. Good introductory firearm if the power is progressed a bit at a time; i.e., 32S&W and S&WL, .32 H&R Magnum, then, finally, .327.

And unlike the .38 Spl/.357, the case isn't derived (lengthened) from a competitor's design. The .32 S&W is all "Smith".

I cannot see any good use for the 327. It does nothing that cannot be done in a 9mm pistol...

Yes, it does.... you don't have to chase your brass all over the place in order to reload it!

It's also ironic with this ammo shortage going on, .327 Federal is one the few factory loaded rounds that aren't on perpetual back order everywhere and pretty much still the same price (albeit pricey to begin with) as it was a year ago.

Green frog, I have a model 66, plus a 16-4 cylinder assembly, how do I tell if it will work? I realize I need the barrel but two out of three ain't bad! I already converted two of my 4 inch 16-4's to 327 but I want a stainless revolver now. What barrel length did you go with?

Peyton,

Sorry I missed this question earlier. You can easily remove the cylinder from the Model 66 and replace it with the Model 16-4 cylinder... one screw on the front limb of the side plate is all you need to remove it. If it is too long, no problem, since you can cut down the amount the barrel extends through the frame, and if too short, you can set back the barrel as needed. A barrel should still be get-able from Brownell's, Numrich, etc. The only problem is that you will have a blue cylinder on your stainless gun. If you are going to the effort and expense to build a "dream gun" I would suggest that you find a S&W Model 617 cylinder to rebore or buy a "blank" stainless cylinder from H. Bowen. If that leaves you with an "extra" Model 16-4 cylinder, I'll happily buy it from you for a blue version I want to build soon.

S&W Revolvers: 1980 to the Present Thread, 327 federal Magnum in Smith & Wesson Revolvers; Read that Taurus and Charter Arms had discontinued building revolvers chambered in 327. I emailed CA this morning and received ...